Definition
To walk; to move forward on foot at a regular pace.
Example
毎朝、公園を歩くのが好きです。
Show translation
I like walking in the park every morning.
Etymology
From Old Japanese *aruku*, related to *aru* (歩) meaning "step" or "pace." The kanji 歩 itself depicts a foot (止) doubled, suggesting alternating footsteps — a visual record of walking built right into the character.
Cultural note
Walking culture is deeply embedded in Japanese life. *Sanpo* (散歩, a leisurely stroll) is a beloved daily habit for many Japanese people, especially in parks and along rivers. Japan's dense pedestrian infrastructure — covered shopping streets (*shotengai*), riverside promenades, and mountain hiking trails (*tozan-ro*) — makes 歩く a verb woven into everyday urban and rural experience alike.